Building-block.



No. 854,806. s. GRITTBNDEN.

BUILDING BLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.24.1906.

- I I I I 5 I Iv I L J I I I. I I? 5 I I I' J I I I I I I I I II:-

WITNESSES:

- I A TTORNE Y5 PATENTED MAY 28, 1907.

PATENT FFTGE.

SIMEON CRITTENDEN, OF CHATFIELD, MINNESOTA.

BUILDING-BLOCK.

Specification of Letters Batent.

Patented May 28, 1907.

Application filed August 24:, 1906. Serial No. 331,937-

specification.

This invention relates to the construction of walls and blocks formaking the same.

The object of the invention is to provide a strong, durable wall havinga plurality of air flues extending vertically through the same therebyto prevent frost, and moisture from penetrating the inner face of thewall and wettingor otherwise injuring the plaster.

A further object is to provide an artificial stone building block havingan angular projection extending laterally from its inner face andadapted to bear against the adjacent face of the opposite block in thesame course when said blocks are laid into a wall.

A still further object of the invention is to generally improve thisclass of devices so as to increase their utility, durability andefliciency.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in theconstruction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafterfully described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it beingunderstood that various changes in form, proportions and minor detailsof construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appendedclaims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification:Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a wall formed of blocksconstructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan viewof the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the side blocks.Fig. 4 is a similar view of one of the corner blocks.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all of thefigures of the drawings.

The side blocks each consist of a rectangular body portion 5 formed ofcement, concrete, terra-cotta or other suitable material, said bodyportion being relatively thin and having smooth upper and lowerlongitudinaledges 6 and unobstructed end walls 7.

Extending laterally from the inner face of the block and spaced inwardlyfrom the adj acent end 7 is a substantially wedge sha ed projection 8preferably of a height equa to the body portion 5 and having itssidewalls inclined or beveled and its apex provided with a flat surface9 adapted to bear against the inner face of the opposite block in thesanfie course when said blocks are laid into a wa The corner blocks 10are provided with similar projections 11 and are formed with angularextensions 12 0f the same'width and height as the body portion andpreferably of the same length as the projections 11. To form the wallthe blocks are laid in superposed courses and arranged to break-jointwith the projections 8 of the blocks on one side of the wall bearingagainst the inner.

faces of the adjacent blocks in the same course and with the projectionsand blocks in succeeding courses over-lapping each other, as best shownin Fig. 2 of the drawings, thus producing a strong substantial wallhaving spaced vertically disposed air flues to permit the freecirculation of air between the blocks comprising the wall.

If desired the exposed faces of the blocks may be molded or otherwiseformed in imitation of chipped or cut rock and in some cases the blocksmay be formed with one or more lateral projections in order to giveadditional strength and solidity to the wall. The wall may also bereinforced and strengthened by the provision of suitable metal tie rodswhich may be embedded in the mortar in alternate or succeeding courses,as Will be readily understood.

Having thus described the invention wha is claimed is:

A wall formed of a plurality of side blocks and of a uniform widththrough-out its en,

tire length, said blocks being laid in superposed courses and arrangedto break joint with the projections of the side blocks in one coursebearing against the inner faces of the opposite blocks in the samecourse and overlapping the projections of the blocks in succeedingcourses and With the terminal proections of the corner blocks abuttingthe adjaeent ends of the side blocks in the same course.

I. E. OBER, DELL CAIN.

